Automobile theater system

ABSTRACT

An automobile theater system including a display screen adapted for use with a single automobile. A movable canopy provides a viewing chamber extending between the screen and the automobile. The theater system may be fixed in a stationary position or supported on a mobile platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a theater system and, moreparticularly, to a system adapted for use with an automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in partial schematic, of theautomobile theater system of the present invention as seen from thefront and left;

[0003]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the automobile theater system of FIG.1;

[0004]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of automobile theatersystems of the present invention as seen from the top, front and right;

[0005]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of theautomobile theater system of the present invention; and

[0006]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of anther embodiment of the automobiletheater system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the automobile theatersystem 10 of the present invention is illustrated for use in connectionwith a motor vehicle, including an automobile 12. It should be notedthat the system 10, as described below, may be positioned in anyfacility conventionally accessible to an automobile 12, including, butnot limited to surface parking lots and parking garages.

[0008] If the automobile theater system 10 is provided in a conventionalparking facility, it may be envisioned that the parking facility may beused for parking of automobiles 12 during daylight hours and utilizedfor displaying of audio-visual works at night.

[0009] The theater system 10 includes a display screen 14 supported by asupport structure 16. The support structure 16 may comprise aconventional stand or, alternatively, may comprise a wall, such as thatfound in a parking garage. A projector 18 is provided in proximity tothe support structure 16 for displaying a desired audio-visual work,such as a movie or video, on the screen 14.

[0010] A hood or canopy 20 is provided in proximity to the screen 14 andis preferably supported by the stand 16. The canopy 20 includes opaquewalls 21 which may be extended or retracted in order to provide aviewing chamber 22 for passengers within the automobile 12. The viewingchamber 22 as provided by the canopy 20 provides for privacy to theviewers of the audio-visual work and eliminates undesired distractions.The canopy 20 is operably connected to a linear actuator 24, preferablya hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. As may be readily appreciated,extension of the actuator 24 results in telescoping movement of thecanopy 20 away from the support structure 16 and towards the automobile12. A fringe element 26 is supported by the canopy 20 and may contactthe automobile 12 to provide a substantially light impermeable sealtherebetween.

[0011] A controller 28 controls the operation of the projector 18 andthe actuator 24 (FIG. 1). A positioning sensor 30 is provided fordetecting a position of the automobile 12. More particularly, thepositioning sensor 30 is positioned within a locating notch 31 withinsupporting pavement 32 for detecting a proper location of a front wheel33 of the automobile 12. When the wheel 33 is properly positioned asdetected by the positioning sensor 30, it transmits a signal to thecontroller 28. As such, the controller 28 determines that the automobile12 is in position for viewing an audio-visual work at the screen 14.

[0012] A control stand 34 may be provided adjacent the driver's sidedoor 35 of the automobile 12. The control stand 34 may include aselection entry pad 36 for entry of information regarding a desiredaudio-visual work and a speaker 37 (FIG. 2) where audio may betransmitted to the occupants of the automobile 12. It may also beappreciated that audio may be transmitted from the projector 18 in awireless fashion to the radio (not shown) of the automobile 12.

[0013] Turning now to FIG. 3, a plurality of automobile theater systems10 are illustrated in operation. The systems 10 may be utilized withconventional parking spaces in parallel disposition.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the invention isillustrated as including a plurality of automobile theater systems 10disposed on a mobile platform 38. The mobile platform 38 is preferablysupported by a trailer 40 including a plurality of wheels 42 such thatthe platform 38 may be moved to various locations. For example, theplatform 38 may be provided in one location for a first duration of timeand then moved to a remote second location for a second duration oftime. It is envisioned that additional mobile trailers (not shown) maybe provided for restroom and concession facilities in connection withthe trailer 40.

[0015] Turning now to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of the invention isillustrated as including a plurality of automobile theater systems 10utilized at a retrofitted conventional drive-in movie theater. Moreparticularly, the individual parking spaces may each be provided with asingle automobile theater system 10 for individual viewing.

[0016] It should be appreciated that the controller 28 suppliesaudio-visual works to each individual automobile theater system 10 ondemand. In other words, when a plurality of automobile theater systems10 are utilized in a single location, each automobile may be suppliedwith a different audio-visual work beginning at any time selected by theviewer. The occupants of the automobile 12 have the freedom to selectone of a plurality of audio-visual works for viewing on the screen 14and for determining when the audio-visual work should begin playing.Provisions may be provided in the control stand 34 for controllingdisplay of the audio-visual work, for example, stopping or pausingplayback.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automobile theater system comprising: ascreen; a canopy supported for movement relative to said screen andadapted for positioning adjacent an automobile; and an actuator operablyconnected to said canopy.